Short Term Forecast
Issued by NWS Key West, FL

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FPUS72 KKEY 182346
NOWKEY

Short Term Forecast
National Weather Service Key West FL
746 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

FLZ076-078-GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-190100-
Monroe Upper Keys-Monroe Lower Keys-
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood
Sound-
Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge-
Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out
and beyond 5 fathoms-
Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel-
Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal
out to 5 Fathoms-
Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef-
Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to
the reef-
Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal
out to the reef-
Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out 20 NM-
Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge
out 20 NM-
Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of
Halfmoon Shoal out 20 NM-
Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas
out 20 NM-
Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key 20 to 60 NM out-
Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge
20 to 60 NM out-
Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of
Halfmoon Shoal 20 to 60 NM out-
Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas
20 to 60 NM out-
Including the Communities of Key Largo and Key West
746 PM EDT Fri Sep 18 2026

.NOW...
Through 900 pm, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across
the SE Gulf, especially north of the Dry Tortugas will continue to
move to the west between 10 and 15 knots. Additionally, stratiform
rain will continue to affect portions of the Island Chain, especially
the Lower and Middle Keys as well as surrounding nearshore and
offshore waters. Mariners encountering the stronger activity across
the SE Gulf can expect blinding downpours reducing visibility, wind
gusts of 25 to 30 knots, and occasional to frequent lightning
strikes. On land, portions of the Lower and Middle Keys may pick up
an additional trace to several hundredths of an inch of rainfall.

$$

MJV